Method and device for selectively removing a surplus interlayer portion in a laminated glass structure

Abstract

A tool includes a rotating abrasive disk that removes the lateral excess portion of a plastic sheet positioned between the panes of a laminated glass structure. Specifically, the excess portion of the plastic sheet may be removed along on two mutually rectangular edges of the laminated glass structure. The rotating disk may be used with a scratching table or a combined scratching and breaking table, with the disk arranged in a stationary manner on a longitudinal edge and with a further rotating abrasive disk arranged on a carriage that moves in a rectangular manner relative to the direction of transport of the laminated glass structure.

1 . A method of producing a laminated glass structure comprising the steps of: 
 (a) providing a laminated glass structure having a first edge and a second edge and including a first glass pane, a second glass pane, and a interlayer of adherent material disposed between the first glass pane and the second glass pane, wherein a portion of the interlayer extends beyond at least one of the first edge and the second edge; and    (b) removing the extending interlayer portion using a removal tool comprising a rotating abrasive disk.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter of the rotating disk contacts the extending interlayer portion to remove the portion while leaving the edge of the laminated glass structure generally intact.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the first and second edges are mutually perpendicular;    the interlayer extends beyond each of the first edge and the second edge; and step (b) comprises (b.1) removing the extending portions of the interlayer from both the first edge and the second edge.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the laminated glass structure is stationary and step (b) comprises (b.1) progressively removing the extending portion of the interlayer by driving the removal tool in a direction parallel to the first edge of the laminated glass structure.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the removal tool is stationary and step (b) comprises (b.1) progressively removing the extending portion of the interlayer by driving the laminated glass structure in a direction parallel to the rotating disk.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the interlayer extends beyond each of the first edge and the second edge and step (b) comprises: 
 (b.1.) maintaining the laminated glass structure in a stationary position while driving a first removal tool parallel to the first edge of the laminated glass structure to remove the extending port of the interlayer along the first edge; and    (b.2) maintaining a second removal tool in a stationary position while driving the laminated glass structure in a direction parallel to the second tool to remove the extending portion of the interlayer along the second edge.    
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first edge and the second edge are mutually perpendicular.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein step (b) comprises: 
 (b.1.) maintaining the laminated glass structure in a stationary position;    (b.2) driving a first removal tool parallel to the first edge of the laminated glass structure to remove the extending portion of the interlayer along the first edge; and    (b.3) driving a second removal tool in a direction parallel to the second edge to remove the extending portion of the interlayer along the second edge.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first edge and the second edge are mutually perpendicular.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising (c) drawing the removed interlayer portion away from the tool.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein step (c) comprises (c.1) vacuuming the removed interlayer portion away from the tool.  
   
   
       12 . The method of the  claim 10 , wherein a scratching station including a transport mechanism draws the removed interlayer portion away from the tool.  
   
   
       13 . The method of the  claim 10 , wherein a combined scratching and breaking station including a transport mechanism draws the removed interlayer portion away from the tool.  
   
   
       14 . A device operable to remove the lateral excess portion of interlayer disposed between panes of a laminated glass structure including a first edge and a second edge, the device comprising: 
 a supporting surface configured to support the laminated glass structure;    a transport mechanism operable to linearly move the laminated glass structure on or along the supporting surface;    a tool fixed to the supporting surface comprising a rotating abrasive disk configured to tangentially contact the first edge of the laminated glass structure; and    a tool moveable with respect to the supporting surface comprising a rotating abrasive disk configured to tangentially contact the second edge of the laminated glass structure.    
   
   
       15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the moveable tool is driven in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the laminated glass structure is transported by the transport mechanism.  
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein the first edge and the second edge are mutually perpendicular.  
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein each tool further comprises at least one brush.  
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the brush is configured to rotate with respect to the tool.  
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 14  further comprising a vacuum operable to draw the removed portion of plastic sheet away from the tool.